“Factory Girl” to Open 22nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival

"Factory Girl" to Open 22nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival

George Hickenlooper‘s “Factory Girl” will open the 22nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival January 25 organizers announced. The film, starring Sienna Miller, Guy Pearce and Hayden Christensen is the story of Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick, the ’60s “It Girl” , with her blue blood, trust fund, Harvard education as well as hypnotic beauty. After joining the Warhol crowd, she became a glaring fixture in the pop art world with sex, drugs, style and rock ‘n’ roll. Her blistering ascendance on the scene was only eclipsed by her tragic fall. “We are pleased to be able to present ‘Factory Girl’ to launch this year’s amazing program,” stated Roger Durling, executive director of the SBIFF in a statement. “This film, the story, [and its] cast is right in line with our goal of being cutting edge as well as an all-encompassing film festival. Of course, it also seemed fitting given that Edie Sedgwick was not only born in Santa Barbara, but she died here as well.” SBIFF will continue through February 4. [Brian Brooks]